A Maryland teacher vanished without a trace after being spotted in a park just days before slain mom-of-five Rachel Morin disappeared.
Mariame Toure Sylla, 60, was last seen on the evening of July 29 near Schrom Hills Park in Greenbelt — about an hour north from where Morin’s body was found, WJLA reported.
Morin, 37, was reported missing on August 5 after she left to go hiking on the Ma and Pa Trail in Bel Air — of Schrom Hills Park. Her badly beaten body was found days later.
Although the two cases have striking similarities, police have not explicitly linked them together.
Authorities investigating Sylla’s disappearance still have no major leads despite an extensive search effort, Greenbelt Police Chief Richard Bowers said at a Thursday morning press conference.
The top cop added that he had “no information” on whether the 60-year-old’s disappearance was connected to the recent discovery of two other bodies in the state.
Mariame Toure Sylla, 59, has been missing for nearly two weeks.Greenbelt Police Department
Morin’s battered remains were found on the popular hiking trail Sunday. No arrests have been made in that case.
“We continue to need the public’s support [in the investigation,]” Bowers insisted Friday. “The longer that she is missing… the greater our concern becomes that we will not be able to locate her in a safe manner.”
After a thorough canine search, police said they do not believe Sylla is in the vicinity of Schrom Hills Park or her residence, Bowers added.
Sylla was honored at an emotional vigil in her hometown last week.WUSA9
She regularly took 30 to 45-minute walks around the park, generally before sunset, WUSA 9 reported.
The possibility that Sylla may have left the country, he continued, has also been mostly ruled out.
“We’ve gotten tips…from as far away as Pennsylvania….we know the story is out there,” Bowers said.
At the time of her disappearance, Sylla was a third-grade teacher at the Dora Kennedy French Immersion School, WTOP said.
Rachel Morin was found dead in Bel Air over the weekend.Facebook/Rachel Morin
Students and others from the community honored her at an emotional vigil last week.
“She has the most amazing personality. She is the most wonderful person inside and out. She’s a burst of sunshine… We love her. There’s going to be an outpouring of love and support for her because she is much needed in the school,” former Dora Kennedy teacher Cece Cole told WJLA.
“We are heartbroken she is missing and we are hoping she is found alive and safe.”
Sylla is a popular teacher at a local French immersion school.Greenbelt Police Department
Anyone with information on Sylla’s whereabouts is encouraged to contact the Greenbelt police.
Sylla is described as a Black woman who is 5’7” and about 135 pounds.
Source link: https://nypost.com/2023/08/10/maryland-teacher-vanished-just-days-before-slaying-of-rachel-morin/